WO2008009521A1 - Method for the production of a solid, fabric-softening composition - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a solid, fabric-softening composition comprising a matrix that is composed of a compound which has a melting point or softening point ranging from 45°C to 300°C, as well as a compound having an affinity for fabric and a perfume, both of which are distributed in said matrix. According to the inventive method, the fabric-softening composition is first produced in a flowable or pourable state and is then solidified on a smooth surface. Also disclosed is the use of the fabric-softening composition in a fabric-softening detergent or cleansing agent.

Description

 "Process for the preparation of a solid, textile-softening composition"

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a solid, textile-softening composition. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the solid, textile-softening composition according to the invention.

Repeated washing often causes textiles to harden and lose their softness. To give textiles their softness / flexibility to give them a pleasant fragrance and / or to improve their antistatic properties, the textiles are treated after the actual washing and cleaning process in a subsequent rinsing process with a fabric softener.

Most fabric softeners on the market are aqueous formulations containing as the main active ingredient a cationic fabric softening compound having one or two long-chain alkyl groups in one molecule. Commonly used cationic fabric softening compounds are quaternary ammonium compounds and include, for example, methyl N- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N-di (tallowacyloxyethyl) ammonium compounds, methyl N- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N-di (Talgacyloxyethyl) ammonium compounds or N, N-dimethyl-N, N-di (tallow acyloxyethyl) ammonium compounds.

These conventional softener formulations can not be used concurrently with the detergent or cleaning agent in the actual washing or cleaning process because of the cationic fabric softening compounds because the cationic fabric softening compounds having one or two long chain alkyl groups are substituted with the anionic surfactants of the laundry or cleaning compositions Detergent undesirable interaction. Therefore, an additional flushing process is necessary, but which is time and energy intensive.

Another disadvantage is that conventional softeners do not prevent the deposition of limescale during the rinse on the laundry. In addition, the conventional softener often leave unsightly deposit in the Einspülkammer the washing machine. Solid, fabric softening compositions containing, for example, softening clays or silicones, which can be used in the main wash, solve many of the problems described at the outset.

In order for consumers to be able to distinguish a strong, fabric softening composition from the detergents, which are usually in powder form or in granulated form, it is desirable for the solid, textile softening agent to be visually distinct from these forms. Many consumers also want a high-quality fragrance for their laundry. In order to visually support the high quality of the fragrance of the fabric softening composition, it is desirable that the fabric softening composition also has a correspondingly high quality and, for example, has the most transparent, preferably crystal-like, form.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method in which a solid, textile-softening composition can be produced in the most transparent form possible in a simple and inexpensive manner.

This object is achieved by a process for producing a solid, textile-softening composition comprising a matrix of a compound having a melting or softening temperature in the range of 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C, as well as distributed therein a textile-affine compound and a Perfume in which the fabric softening composition is first produced in a flowable or pourable state and then allowed to set on a smooth surface.

Rough surfaces, that is surfaces with high surface roughness, diffuse incident light diffusely and make the associated object appear cloudy. In order to obtain a solid as possible textile-softening compound, this should have as many smooth surfaces. This is achieved according to the invention in which the fabric softening composition is first produced in a flowable or pourable state and then allowed to solidify on a smooth surface. When the surface on the fabric-softening composition is solidified to have a small surface roughness, the corresponding surface of the solid textile-softening composition also has a low surface roughness and appears transparent. It is preferred that an optically smooth surface is used as a smooth surface.

Optically smooth surfaces have a particularly low surface roughness and surfaces of the solid textile-softening compound solidified on a visually smooth surface appear to be particularly transparent.

It is further preferred that the smooth surface be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, plastics, and composites thereof.

Surfaces made of these materials can be produced with particularly smooth, ie with particularly low surface roughness.

It is advantageous that the textile-affine compound is selected from the group consisting of polysiloxanes, fabric softening clays, cationic polymers and mixtures thereof.

The use of polysiloxanes and / or cationic polymers as a textile-affine compound in the fabric softening composition is advantageous because they not only have a softening effect but also enhance the perfume impression on the laundry. Furthermore, cationic polymers sometimes show less interaction with anionic surfactants than cationic textile softening compounds with one or two long-chain alkyl groups. The use of softening clays as a textile-affine compound in the textile softening composition is advantageous, since these additionally have a water-hardening effect and thus limescale deposits on the laundry are prevented. For optimum performance, it may be preferred that the fabric softening composition contain a combination of at least two textile-affine compounds. The advantageously selected compounds can be used without problems in the production process according to the invention and lead, in particular in the flowable or pourable state of the textile softening composition, neither to creaming nor to sedimentation.

In a preferred embodiment, the compound having a melting or softening point ranging from 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols, poly vinyl alcohols is, polyvinylpyrrolidones, carbohydrates, polyacrylates, polyesters, and mixtures thereof. Furthermore, it is preferred that the matrix of the solid, textile-softening Composition of 40 to 99.8 wt .-%, preferably 85 to 97 wt .-% of the compound having a melting or softening point in the range of 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C is formed.

All of these compounds are very soluble in water and thus ensure that the textile-affine compound and the perfume are rapidly released into the wash liquor. Furthermore, these compounds are substantially undecomposed in a flowable or pourable state.

It is preferred that 0.1 to 15% by weight, preferably 3 to 10% by weight and especially preferably 5 to 8% by weight of perfume be added.

In conventional liquid softener compositions containing quaternary ammonium compounds as textile-affine compounds, a higher compositional perfume concentration (> 0.4% by weight perfume in regular fabric softener compositions and> 1% by weight in concentrated fabric softener compositions) has a problem with the stability of the composition. In the case of the textile softening compositions according to the invention, relatively large amounts (> 1% by weight) of perfume can be incorporated without problems of process engineering in the preparation of the textile softening composition or stability problems in the end product.

In order to improve the performance and / or aesthetic properties of the textile-softening composition, in addition, ingredients selected from the group consisting of dyes, perfume, fillers, pearlescing agents, metal shine agents, textile and / or skin care compounds and mixtures thereof can be added.

In a preferred embodiment, the solid textile softening composition after solidification is converted into particles having particle sizes in the range of 0.6 to 30 mm, in particular 0.8 to 7 mm and particularly preferably 1 to 3 mm. Solid, textile-softening composition with these particle sizes can be particularly well and accurately metered. Furthermore, solid textile softening compositions with these particle sizes look particularly high quality. Further, it is preferred that the solid textile-softening composition in the form of particles be at least partially coated with a polymer. The coating prevents outdiffusion of the perfume.

Moreover, the invention relates to the use of a solid, textile-softening composition according to the invention for conditioning textile fabrics.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a solid, textile-softening composition according to the invention in the manufacture of a washing or cleaning agent.

In the following, the invention is explained, inter alia, by way of examples.

The solid, fabric softening composition contains a matrix of a compound having a melting or softening point in the range of 45 ^° C. to 300 ^° C., and in the matrix distributes a textile-affine compound and a perfume

By melting point is meant the transition from a solid state to a liquid (free flowing) state. The softening temperature describes the transition from a solid state to a rubbery to viscous melt. The melting and the softening temperature may be either a certain temperature or a smaller area within the range of 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C, respectively.

The matrix of the compound with a melting or softening point in the range from 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C may include, for example, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, carbohydrates, polyacrylates, polyesters and mixtures thereof. The matrix of the solid, textile-softening composition preferably contains from 40 to 99.8% by weight, particularly preferably from 85 to 97% by weight, of the compound having a melting or softening point in the range from 45 ^° C. to 300 ^° C. ,

Suitable polyalkylene glycols include in particular polyethylene glycols, which are liquid or solid polymers depending on the chain length. From a molecular weight of 3000, the polyethylene glycols are solid substances and are sold as flakes or powders. Hardness and melting range increase with increasing molecular weight.

Polyvinyl alcohols are commercially available as white-yellowish powders or granules with degrees of polymerization in the range of about 500-2500 (molar masses of about 20,000 - 100,000 g / mol). Of the The degree of hydrolysis is 98-99 or 87-89 mol% and thus the polyvinyl alcohols still contain a residual content of acetyl groups. The polyvinyl alcohols are characterized by the manufacturer by indicating the degree of polymerization of the starting polymer, the degree of hydrolysis and / or the saponification number. Fully saponified polyvinyl alcohols have a softening point of 85 ^° C. and a melting point of 228 ^° C. The corresponding values for partially hydrolyzed (87-89%) products are significantly lower at about 58 ^° C. (softening point) or 186 ^° C. (melting point).

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a hygroscopic, amorphous powder with a white to light yellow color. Due to its amorphous structure polyvinylpyrrolidone has no melting point, but only a softening temperature, which is about 160 ⁰ C.

With polyacrylates, polymers based on esters of acrylic acid (polyacrylic acid esters) and in particular copolymers with acrylic acid esters are referred to in general terms. Often used comonomers are, for example, acrylic u. Methacrylic acid and its amides, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinyl acetate, butadiene or styrene. About the choice of style and style Amount of comonomer, the properties of the products are widely variable.

As a suitable polyester, among others, polyethylene terephthalate which is commercially available, for example, in crystalline (opaque white) and amorphous (transparent) form can be used. The melting point of crystalline polyethylene terephthalate is about 260 ⁰ C. poly ethylene terephthalate are as thermoplastics under heat moldable into virtually any shape. In addition, modified polyethylene terephthalates (such as blends with other polymers or polyethylene terephthalates with incorporated foreign building blocks) can be used.

A carbohydrate which is suitable as a matrix material is isomalt. Isomalt is a hydrogenated isomaltulose consisting of approximately equal parts of 6-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucitol (GPS, isomaltitol) and 1-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-mannitol (GPM). Isomalt is a white, odorless powder with a melting point of 145 to 150 ° C. Other suitable carbohydrates include dextrose, fructose, galactose, isoglucose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose and mixtures thereof.

The matrix of the fabric softening composition may also contain blends of two or more of these materials. By the term "textile-affine compound" is meant in this application a compound which interacts with, for example wears on, or otherwise modifies the properties of the fabrics with the treated fabrics.

The textile-affine compound is preferably a polysiloxane, a fabric softening clay, a cationic polymer or a blend of at least two of these fabric softening compounds.

A preferably usable polysiloxane has at least the following structural unit

With

R ¹ = independently of one another C-ι-C ₃ -alkyl, preferably Ci-C ₄ alkyl, especially methyl or

Ethyl, n = 1 to 5000, preferably 10 to 2500, in particular 100 to 1500.

It may be preferred that the polysiloxane additionally has the following structural unit: b)

With

R ¹ = C ₃ C o alkyl, preferably C ₁ -C ₄ -alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl,

Y = optionally substituted, linear or branched C ₁ -C _2O -AI kylen, preferably - (CH _{2) m} - with m = 1 to 16, preferably 1 to 8, in particular 2 to 4, in particular 3,

R ² , R ³ = independently of one another H or optionally substituted, linear or branched

Ci-C ₃ o-alkyl, preferably substituted with amino groups Ci-C ₃₀ alkyl, particularly preferred

- (CH ₂ ) _b -NH ₂ with b = 1 to 10, most preferably b = 2, x = 1 to 5000, preferably 10 to 2500, in particular 100 to 1500. If the polysiloxane has only the structural unit a) with R ¹ = methyl, it is a polydimethylsiloxane. Polydimethylpolysiloxanes are known as efficient textile-affine compounds.

Suitable polydimethysiloxanes include DC-200 (ex Dow Corning), Baysilone® M 50, Baysilone® M 100, Baysilone® M 350, Baysilone® M 500, Baysilone® M 1000, Baysilone® M 1500, Baysilone® M 2000 or Baysilone® M 5000 (all ex GE Bayer Silicones).

However, it may also be preferred that the polysiloxane contains the structural units a) and b). A particularly preferred polysiloxane has the following structure:

(CH ₃ ) ₃ Si - [O-Si (CH ₃ ) 2] n - [O-Si (CH ₃ ) {(CH ₂ ) 3 -NH- (CH ₂ ) ₂ -NH ₂ }] _x -OSi (CH ₃ ) ₃ where the sum n + x is a number between 2 and 10,000.

Suitable polysiloxanes having the structural units a) and b) are available, for example, commercially under the trade name DC2-8566 (ex Dow Corning). According to the invention are also suitable for example the products commercially available Dow Corning ^® 7224, Dow Corning ^® 929 Cationic Emulsion or Formasil 410 (GE Silicones).

A suitable fabric softening clay is, for example, a smectite clay. Preferred smectite clays are beidellite clays, hectorite clays, laponite clays, montmorillonite clays, nontronite clays, saponite clays, sauconite clays, and mixtures thereof. Montmorillonite clays are the preferred softening clays. Bentonites contain mainly montmorillonites and can serve as a preferred source of fabric softening clay.

Suitable bentonites are sold, for example, under the names Laundrosil® by Süd-Chemie or under the name Detercal by Laviosa.

It is advantageous that the textile softening clays used have a particle diameter of less than 30 μm, preferably less than 15 μm, more preferably less than 10 μm and particularly preferably less than 5 μm.

Suitable cationic polymers include, in particular, those described in "CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary", Fourth Edition, JM Nikitakis, et al, Editors, published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, 1991 and grouped under the collective name "Polyquaternium" The following are some of the more suitable polyquaternium compounds. POLYQUATERNIUM-1 (CAS number: 68518-54-7)

Definition: {(HIGH ₂ CH ₂ ) ₃ N ⁺ -CH ₂ CH = CHCH ₂ - [N ⁺ (CH ₃ ) ₂ -CH ₂ CH = CHCH ₂ ] _x -N ⁺ (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) 3} [Cr ] _{x +} 2

POLYQUATERNIUM-2 (CAS number: 63451-27-4)

Definition: [-N (CH ₃ ) ₂ -CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ -NH-C (O) -NH-CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ -N (CH ₃ ) ₂ -CH ₂ CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH ₂ - ] ²⁺ (Cl ^" ) ₂

For example, available as Mirapol® A-15 (ex Rhodia)

Polyquaternium-3

Definition: copolymer of acrylamide and trimethylammoniumethyl methacrylate methosulfate

POLYQUATERNIUM-4 (CAS number: 92183-41-0)

Definition: Copolymer of hydroxyethylcellulose and diallyldimethylammonium chloride

For example, available as Celquat® H 100 or Celquat® L200 (ex National Starch)

POLYQUATERNIUM-5 (CAS number: 26006-22-4)

Definition: Copolymer of acrylamide and β-methacrylyloxyethyltrimethylammonium methosulfate. For example, available as Nalco 7113 (ex Nalco) or Reten® 210, Reten® 220, Reten® 230, Reten® 240, Reten® 1104, Reten® 1105 or Reten® 1106 (all ex Hercules)

POLYQUATERNIUM-6 (CAS Number: 26062-79-3) Definition: Polymer of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride Available, for example, as Merquat® 100 (ex Ondeo-Nalco)

POLYQUATERNIUM-7 (CAS number: 26590-05-6)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt consisting of acrylamide and

Dimethyldiallylammonium chloride monomers.

For example, available as Merquat® 550 or Merquat® S (ex Ondeo-Nalco)

Polyquaternium-8

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of methyl and stearyldimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, which was quaternized with dimethyl sulfate

Polyquaternium-9

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of polydimethylaminoethyl methacrylate quaternized with methyl bromide

POLYQUATERS IUM-10 (CAS Nouns: 53568-66-4; 55353-19-0; 54351-50-7; 81859-24-7;

68610-92-4; 81859-24-7)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose, which is treated with a

Trimethylammonium substituted epoxide was reacted. For example, available as Celquat® SC-240 (ex National Starch), UCARE® Polymer JR-125, UCARE® Polymer JR-400, UCARE® Polymer JR-30M, UCARE® Polymer LR 400, UCARE® Polymer LR 3OM, Ucare® Polymer SR-10 (all ex Amerchol)

POLYQUATERNIUM-11 (CAS number: 53633-54-8)

Definition: Quaternary ammonium polymer formed by reaction of diethyl sulfate with the copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. For example, available as Luviquat®PQ 11 PN (ex BASF), Gafquat® 734, Gafquat® 755 or Gafquat® 755N (ex GAF)

POLYQUATERNIUM-12 (CAS number: 68877-50-9)

Definition: Quaternary ammonium polymer salt which is obtained by reacting the ethyl methacrylate

Abietylmethacrylat / diethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer with dimethyl sulfate is available

POLYQUATERNIUM-13 (CAS number: 68877-47-4)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt obtainable by reaction of the ethyl methacrylate / oleyl methacrylate / diethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer with dimethyl sulfate

POLYQUATERNIUM-14 (CAS number: 27103-90-8)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of the formula - {- CH ₂ -C- (CH ₃ ) - [C (O) O-CH ₂ CH ₂ -

N (CHa) ₃ I) _x ⁺ [CH ₃ SO ₄ ] -χ

POLYQUATERNIUM-15 (CAS number: 35429-19-7)

Definition: copolymer of acrylamide and β-methacrylyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride

POLYQUATERNIUM-16 (CAS number: 95144-24-4)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt formed from methylvinylimidazolium chloride and

vinylpyrrolidone

For example, available as Luviquat® FC 370, Luviquat® Style, Luviquat® FC 550 or

Luviquat® Excellence (all ex BASF)

POLYQUATERNIUM-17 (CAS number: 90624-75-2)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt obtained by reaction of adipic acid and

Dimethylaminopropylamine with dichloroethyl ether is available.

For example, available as Mirapol® AD-1 (ex Rhodia)

Polyquaternium-18

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt, which is obtainable by reaction of azelaic acid and dimethylaminopropylamine with dichloroethyl ether.

For example, available as Mirapol® AZ-1 (ex Rhodia) Polyquaternium-19

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt, which is obtainable by reaction of polyvinyl alcohol with 2,3-epoxypropylamine.

Polyquaternium-20

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt, which is obtainable by reaction of polyvinyl octadecyl ether with 2,3-epoxypropylamine.

POLYQUATERNIUM-21 (CAS number: 102523-94-4)

Definition: polysiloxane / polydimethyldialkylammonium acetate copolymer

For example, available as Abil® B 9905 (ex Goldschmidt-Degussa)

POLYQUATERNIUM-22 (CAS number: 53694-17-0)

Definition: dimethyldiallylammonium chloride / acrylic acid copolymer

For example, available as Merquat® 280 (ex Ondeo-Nalco)

POLYQUATERS IUM-24 (CAS number: 107987-23-5)

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt from the reaction of hydroxyethylcellulose with a lauryldimethylammonium substituted epoxide

For example, available as Quatrisoft® Polymer LM 200 (ex Amerchol)

Polyquaternium-27

Definition: Block copolymer from the reaction of Polyquaternium-2 with Polyquaternium-17.

POLYQUATERS IUM-28 (CAS number: 131954-48-8)

Definition: Vinylpyrrolidone / methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride copolymer

For example, available as Gafquat® HS-100 (ex GAF)

Polyquaternium-29

Definition: Chitosan, which was reacted with propylene oxide and quaternized with epichlorohydrin

Polyquaternium-30

Definition: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of the formula: - [CH ₂ C (CH ₃ ) (C (O) OCH ₃ ) I _x -

[CH ₂ C (CH ₃ ) (C (O) OCH ₂ CH ₂ N ⁺ (CH ₃ ) ₂ CH ₂ COO-)] _y -

POLYQUATERNIUM-31 (CAS number: 136505-02-7)

POLYQUATERNIUM-32 (CAS number: 35429-19-7)

Definition: Polymer of N, N, N-trimethyl-2 - [(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl) oxy] -ethanaminium chloride with 2-propenamide POLYQUATERNIUM-37 (CAS Number: 26161-33-1) Definition: Homopolymer of methacryloyltrimethylchloride Available for example as Synthalen® CR (ex 3V Sigma)

POLYQUATERS IUM-44 (CAS number: 150595-70-5)

Definition: Quaternary ammonium salt of the copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized

imidazoline

For example, available as Luviquat® Ultracare (ex BASF)

POLYQUATERS IUM-68 (CAS number: 827346-45-2)

Definition: Quaternized copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone, methacrylamide, vinylimidazole and quaternized vinylimidazole

For example, available as Luviquat® Supreme (ex BASF)

Another suitable textile-affine compound is an alkylamidoammonium lactate, which is available, for example, under the name Dehyquart® 2415 (ex Cognis).

The amount of textile-affine compound in the fabric softening composition is 0.1 to 10% by weight and preferably between 2 and 10% by weight.

Another essential ingredient of the fabric softening composition is the perfume. As perfume oils or fragrances, individual fragrance compounds, e.g. the synthetic products of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and hydrocarbon type are used. Preferably, however, mixtures of different fragrances are used, which together produce an attractive fragrance. Such perfume oils may also contain natural fragrance mixtures as are available from plant sources.

The amount of perfume in the textile-softening composition is preferably between 0.1 and 15 wt .-%, particularly preferably between 3 and 10 wt .-% and most preferably between 5 and 8 wt .-%.

The fabric softening composition may optionally contain other ingredients.

In order to improve the aesthetic impression of the fabric softening compound, they can be dyed with suitable dyes. Preferred dyestuffs, the selection of which presents no difficulty to the skilled person, have a high storage stability and insensitivity. as compared with the other ingredients of detergents and cleaners and against light, as well as no pronounced substantivity towards textile fibers so as not to stain them.

Furthermore, the fabric softening composition may contain a filler such as silica. The amount of filler may be between 0.1 and 10 wt .-% and is preferably 1 to 5 wt .-%.

The fabric softening composition may also contain a pearlescer to increase gloss. Examples of suitable pearlescing agents are ethylene glycol mono- and distearate (for example Cutina AGS from Cognis) and PEG-3-distearate.

Another suitable ingredient is metal polish agents such as metallic luster pigments.

Furthermore, the fabric softening composition may comprise a textile and / or skin care compound.

The textile care composition is selected, for example, from the group consisting of fluorescers, anti redeposition agents, optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-crease agents, color transfer inhibitors, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, antistatic agents, ironing aids, UV absorbers, repellents, impregnating agents and mixtures thereof , Concrete examples of these fabric-care compounds will be found later in the description of a laundry detergent or detergent having a solid, fabric-softening composition made in accordance with the present invention and may also be used in the solid, fabric-softening composition.

A textile-care compound gives textile fabrics treated therewith a beneficial effect or reduces harmful or negative effects which may occur during cleaning and / or conditioning and / or wearing, such as fading, graying, etc.

A skin care compound is understood to mean a compound or mixture of compounds which, upon contact of a textile with the solid, fabric softening composition, draws on the textile and, on contact of the textile with skin, confer an advantage on the skin compared to a textile which does not was treated with the solid, fabric softening composition of the invention. This advantage can be, for example, the transfer of the skin care compound from the textile to the skin, a lower Water transfer from the skin to the textile or less friction on the skin surface through the textile.

The skin care compound is preferably hydrophobic, may be liquid or solid, and must be compatible with the other ingredients of the solid, fabric softening composition. The skin care compound may, for example, be: a) waxes such as carnauba, spermaceti, beeswax, lanolin, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof; b) (hydrophobic) plant extracts, for example vegetable oils such as avocado oil, olive oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, coriander oil, castor oil, poppy seed oil, cocoa oil, coconut oil, pumpkin seed oil, wheat germ oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, macadamia nut oil, apricot kernel oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, canola oil and mixtures thereof or aloe vera or camomile; c) higher fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, isostearic acid or polyunsaturated fatty acids; d) higher fatty alcohols such as lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol or 2-hexadecanol, e) esters such as cetyl octanoate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl adipate, butyl stearate, decyl oleate, cholesterol isostearate, glycerol monostearate , Glycerol distearate, glycerol tristearate, alkyl lactate, alkyl citrate or alkyl tartrate; f) hydrocarbons such as paraffins, mineral oils, squalane or squalene; g) lipids; h) vitamins such as vitamins A, C and / or E or vitamin alkyl esters; i) phospholipids; j) sunscreens such as octyl methoxyl cinnamate and butyl methoxybenzoyl methane; k) silicone oils such as linear or cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, amino-, alkyl-, alkylaryl- or aryl-substituted silicone oils and I) mixtures thereof.

The amount of textile and / or skin care compound is preferably between 0.01 and 10 wt .-%, preferably between 0.1 and 5 wt .-% and most preferably between 0.3 and 3 wt .-% based on the solid, textile-softening composition.

To prepare the solid, fabric softening composition, the matrix material is converted to a flowable or pourable state by heating. During cooling are still mixed in the flowable or pourable state, the textile-affine compound, the perfume and optionally the other ingredients under the matrix material. The perfume is mixed as late as possible under the solidifying melt, so that the perfume ingredients are not expelled very quickly by evaporation.

Subsequently, the resulting mixture is poured onto a smooth surface and cooled as quickly as possible. Particularly preferably, the cooling takes place within a few seconds.

It is particularly preferred that the surface is an optically smooth surface. An optically smooth surface is present when the wavelength of the light is greater than the surface roughness. An optically smooth surface according to the invention accordingly has an average surface roughness of less than 0.5 μm.

Such surface roughness values are particularly achieved in surfaces formed from metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, plastics and composites thereof.

By different technologies / methods, such as casting the melt into a mold from the materials mentioned, the melt can be solidified in any shape of any (particle) size.

Alternatively, after solidification, a solid textile softening compound cast into a large mold can be converted into smaller particles, for example by breaking. It is preferred that the solid, textile-softening composition has particle sizes in the range of 0.6 to 30 mm, in particular 0.8 to 7 mm and particularly preferably 1 to 3 mm. In this embodiment, particularly high-quality, transparent and crystal-shaped particles of the solid, textile-softening composition are obtained.

The process according to the invention can be part of a pelleting and / or pastelling process.

In order to prevent the perfume from diffusing out, the particles can be at least partially provided with a transparent envelope made of a polymer. In particular, the compounds described above with a melting point can be used as materials for the cladding. or softening temperature in the range from 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C, so polyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl alcohols, carbohydrates, polyacrylates, polyesters, and mixtures thereof are used, polyvinyl pyrrolidones. These materials form a transparent, protective coating without adversely affecting the primary appearance, especially the crystallinity of the particles.

The solid, textile-softening composition produced according to the invention is particularly suitable for conditioning textile fabrics and is brought into contact with the textile fabrics together with a conventional washing or cleaning agent in the (main) wash cycle of a conventional washing and cleaning process.

The textile-softening composition can also be incorporated into a detergent or cleaning agent. Due to the high-quality, crystal-like appearance of the textile-softening composition, it can be easily identified in a powdered or granulated detergent or cleaner.

For this purpose, a solid detergent or cleaning agent is mixed with 0.1 to 20 wt .-%, preferably 1 to 10 wt .-% of the textile softening composition according to the invention.

The detergents or cleaners contain surfactant (s) in addition to the textile softening composition prepared according to the invention, it being possible to use anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and / or amphoteric surfactants. From an application point of view, preference is given to mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants. The total surfactant content of a detergent is preferably below 40% by weight and more preferably below 35% by weight, based on the total detergent.

The nonionic surfactants used are preferably alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated, in particular primary, alcohols having preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an average of 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of alcohol, in which the alcohol residue can be linear or preferably methyl-branched in the 2-position or linear and methyl-branched radicals in the mixture can contain, as they are usually present in Oxoalkoholresten. In particular, however, alcohol ethoxylates with linear radicals of alcohols of native origin having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example of coconut, palm, tallow or oleyl alcohol, and on average 2 to 8 EO per mole of alcohol are preferred. Preferred ethoxylated alcohols include, for example, C ₁₂ - _M - alcohols containing 3 EO, 7 EO or 4 EO, C ₉ n-alcohol with 7 EO, C _3- I ₅ alcohols containing 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C ₁₂ -i ₈ -alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as Mixtures of C ₁₂ -i ₄ -alcohol with 3 EO and C ₁₂ -i ₈ -alcohol with 7 EO. The stated degrees of ethoxylation represent statistical averages, which for a specific product may be an integer or a fractional number. Preferred alcohol ethoxylates have a narrow homolog distribution (narrow rank ethoxylates, NRE). In addition to these nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO can also be used. Examples of these are tallow fatty alcohol with 14 EO, 25 EO, 30 EO or 40 EO. Nonionic surfactants containing EO and PO groups together in the molecule can also be used according to the invention. Here, block copolymers with EO-PO block units or PO-EO block units can be used, but also EO-PO-EO copolymers or PO-EO-PO copolymers. Of course, it is also possible to use mixed alkoxylated nonionic surfactants in which EO and PO units are not distributed in blocks, but randomly. Such products are available by the simultaneous action of ethylene and propylene oxide on fatty alcohols.

In addition, as further nonionic surfactants and alkyl glycosides of the general formula RO (G) _x can be used in which R is a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, especially in the 2-position methyl-branched aliphatic radical having 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms and G is the symbol representing a glucose unit having 5 or 6 C atoms, preferably glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; preferably x is 1, 2 to 1, 4. Alkyl glycosides are known, mild surfactants.

Another class of preferred nonionic surfactants used either as the sole nonionic surfactant or in combination with other nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, especially fatty acid methyl esters.

Nonionic surfactants of the amine oxide type, for example N-cocoalkyl-N, N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallowalkyl-N, N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, and the fatty acid alkanolamides may also be suitable. The amount of these nonionic surfactants is preferably not more than that of the ethoxylated fatty alcohols, especially not more than half thereof. Further suitable surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of the formula (VII)

R ¹

I

R-CO-N- [Z] (VII)

in which RCO is an aliphatic acyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R 1 is hydrogen, an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and [Z] is a linear or branched polyhydroxyalkyl radical having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 3 to 10 hydroxyl groups. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known substances which can usually be obtained by reductive amination of a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine or an alkanolamine and subsequent acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkyl ester or a fatty acid chloride.

The group of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides also includes compounds of the formula (VIII)

R ¹ -OR ²

I

R-CO-N- [Z] (VIII)

in the R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, R ^{1 is} a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or an aryl radical having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and R ^{2 is} a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or an aryl radical or an oxyalkyl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, where C | _4- alkyl or phenyl radicals are preferred and [Z] is a linear polyhydroxyalkyl radical whose alkyl chain is substituted by at least two hydroxyl groups, or alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated derivatives of this radical.

[Z] is preferably obtained by reductive amination of a sugar, for example glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose or xylose. The N-alkoxy- or N-aryloxy-substituted compounds can then be converted into the desired polyhydroxy fatty acid amides by reaction with fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of an alkoxide as catalyst.

The content of nonionic surfactants in the detergents or cleaners is preferably 5 to 30 wt .-%, preferably 7 to 20 wt .-% and in particular 9 to 15 wt .-%, each based on the total detergent or cleaning agent. As anionic surfactants, for example, those of the sulfonate type and sulfates are used. The surfactants of the sulfonate type are preferably C ₉ . _13- Alkylbenzolsulfonate, olefinsulfonates, ie mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkanesulfonates and disulfonates, as obtained for example from Ci ₂ -i ₈ monoolefins with terminal or internal double bond by sulfonating with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation, in consideration. Also suitable are alkanesulfonates which are obtained from C _12-18 alkanes, for example by sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation with subsequent hydrolysis or neutralization. Likewise suitable are the esters of .alpha.-sulfo fatty acids (ester sulfonates), for example the .alpha.-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel or tallow fatty acids.

Further suitable anionic surfactants are sulfated fatty acid glycerol esters. Fatty acid glycerol esters are to be understood as meaning the mono-, di- and triesters and mixtures thereof, as in the preparation by esterification of a monoglycerol with 1 to 3 mol fatty acid or in the transesterification of triglycerides with 0.3 to 2 mol Glycerol can be obtained. Preferred sulfated fatty acid glycerol esters are the sulfonation products of saturated fatty acids containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, for example caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid or behenic acid.

Alk (en) yl sulfates are the alkali and especially the sodium salts of the Schwefelsäurehalbester C ₂ -C ₈ fatty alcohols, for example coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol, or C ₁₀ -C ₂ o Oxo alcohols and those half-esters of secondary alcohols of these chain lengths are preferred. Also preferred are alk (en) ylsulfates of said chain length, which contain a synthetic, produced on a petrochemical basis straight-chain alkyl radical, which have an analogous degradation behavior as the adequate compounds based on oleochemical raw materials. Of washing technology interest, the Ci ₂ -Ci ₆ alkyl sulfates and Ci ₂ -Ci ₅ alkyl sulfates and Ci ₄ -Ci ₅ alkyl sulfates are preferred. 2,3-Alkyl sulfates, which can be obtained as commercial products from Shell Oil Company under the name DAN ^®, are suitable anionic surfactants.

Also, the sulfuric acid monoesters of straight-chain or branched C ₇ ethoxylated with 1 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide. ₂ i-alcohols, such as 2-methyl-branched C ^ n-alcohols having an average of 3.5 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) or C- | ₂ - ₁₈ -fatty alcohols with 1 to 4 EO are suitable. You will be in cleaning mittein due to their high foaming behavior only in relatively small amounts, for example in amounts of 1 to 5 wt .-%, used.

Further suitable anionic surfactants are also the salts of alkylsulfosuccinic acid, which are also referred to as sulfosuccinates or as sulfosuccinic esters and which are monoesters and / or diesters of sulfosuccinic acid with alcohols, preferably fatty alcohols and in particular ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Preferred sulfosuccinates contain C ₈ -i ₈ -fatty alcohol residues or mixtures of these. Particularly preferred sulfosuccinates contain a fatty alcohol residue derived from ethoxylated fatty alcohols, which by themselves are nonionic surfactants. Sulfosuccinates, whose fatty alcohol residues are derived from ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a narrow homolog distribution, are again particularly preferred. Likewise, it is also possible to use alk (en) ylsuccinic acid having preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alk (en) yl chain or salts thereof.

Particularly preferred anionic surfactants are soaps. Suitable are saturated and unsaturated fatty acid soaps, such as the salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, (hydrogenated) erucic acid and behenic acid and, in particular, soap mixtures derived from natural fatty acids, for example coconut, palm kernel, olive oil or tallow fatty acids.

The anionic surfactants, including the soaps, may be in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts and as soluble salts of organic bases, such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine. The anionic surfactants are preferably present in the form of their sodium or potassium salts, in particular in the form of the sodium salts.

The content of preferred detergents or cleaning agents to anionic surfactants is 2 to 30 wt .-%, preferably 4 to 25 wt .-% and in particular 5 to 22 wt .-%, each based on the total washing or cleaning agent.

In addition to the fabric softening composition and the surfactants, the detergents or cleaners may contain further ingredients which further improve the performance and / or aesthetic properties of the washing or cleaning agent. In the context of the present invention, preferred washing or cleaning agents additionally comprise one or more substances from the group of builders, bleaches, bleach activators, enzymes, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, dyes, foam inhibitors, Silicone oils, anti redeposition agents, optical brighteners, grayness inhibitors, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-crease agents, color transfer inhibitors, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing auxiliaries, repellents and impregnating agents, swelling and anti-slip agents, neutral filler salts and UV absorbers ,

Suitable builders which may be present in the detergents or cleaners are in particular silicates, aluminum silicates (in particular zeolites), carbonates, salts of organic di- and polycarboxylic acids and mixtures of these substances.

Suitable crystalline, layered sodium silicates have the general formula NaMSi _x O _{2x + I} H ₂ O, where M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1, 9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20 and preferred values for x 2 , 3 or 4 are. Preferred crystalline layered silicates of the formula given are those in which M is sodium and x assumes the values 2 or 3. In particular, both β- and δ-sodium disilicates Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ .yH ₂ O are preferred.

It is also possible to use amorphous sodium silicates with a Na ₂ O: SiO ₂ modulus of from 1: 2 to 1: 3.3, preferably from 1: 2 to 1: 2.8 and in particular from 1: 2 to 1: 2.6, which Delayed and have secondary washing properties. The dissolution delay compared with conventional amorphous sodium silicates may have been caused in various ways, for example by surface treatment, compounding, compaction / densification or by overdrying. In the context of this invention, the term "amorphous" is also understood to mean "X-ray amorphous". This means that the silicates do not yield sharp X-ray reflections typical of crystalline substances in X-ray diffraction experiments, but at most one or more maxima of the scattered X-rays which have a width of several degrees of diffraction angle. However, it may well even lead to particularly good builder properties if the silicate particles provide blurred or even sharp diffraction maxima in electron diffraction experiments. This is to be interpreted as meaning that the products have microcrystalline regions of size 10 to a few hundred nm, with values of up to a maximum of 50 nm and in particular up to a maximum of 20 nm being preferred. Particularly preferred are compacted / compacted amorphous silicates, compounded amorphous silicates and overdried X-ray amorphous silicates.

The finely crystalline, synthetic and bound water-containing zeolite used is preferably zeolite A and / or P. Zeolite P is zeolite MAP® (commercial product of the company Crosfield) is particularly preferred. Also suitable, however, are zeolite X and mixtures of A, X and / or P. Commercially available and preferably usable in the context of the present invention is, for example, a cocrystal of zeolite X and zeolite A (about 80% by weight of zeolite X) which is sold by SASOL under the brand name VEGOBOND AX ^® and by the formula (n Na ₂ O), 1-n) K ₂ O Al ₂ O ₃ (2 to 2.5), SiO ₂ (3.5 to 5, 5) H ₂ O n = 0.90 - 1, 0

can be described. The zeolite can be used as a spray-dried powder or else as an undried, stabilized suspension which is still moist from its production. In the event that the zeolite is used as a suspension, it may contain minor additions of nonionic surfactants as stabilizers, for example 1 to 3 wt .-%, based on zeolite, of ethoxylated C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ fatty alcohols having 2 to 5 ethylene oxide groups , C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ -FeH- alcohols with 4 to 5 ethylene oxide groups or ethoxylated isotridecanols. Suitable zeolites have an average particle size of less than 10 μm (volume distribution, measuring method: Coulter Counter) and preferably contain 18 to 22% by weight, in particular 20 to 22% by weight, of bound water.

Of course, a use of the well-known phosphates as builders is possible, unless such use should not be avoided for environmental reasons. Particularly suitable are the sodium salts of orthophosphates, pyrophosphates and in particular tripolyphosphates.

Organic builders which may be present in the detergent or cleaning agent include polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates and acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymers, poly-aspartates and monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, succinates or malonates, which are preferably used as sodium salts.

Among the compounds serving as bleaches in water H ₂ O ₂ , sodium perborate tetrahydrate and sodium perborate monohydrate are of particular importance. Further usable bleaching agents are, for example, sodium percarbonate, peroxypyrophosphates, citrate perhydrates and H ₂ O ₂ -producing peracidic salts or peracids, such as perbenzoates, peroxophthalates, diperazelaic acid, phthaloiminoperacid or diperdodecanedioic acid. In order to achieve an improved bleaching effect during washing at temperatures of 60 ^° C. and below, bleach activators can be incorporated into the detergents or cleaners. As bleach activators, it is possible to use compounds which, under perhydrolysis conditions, give aliphatic peroxycarboxylic acids having preferably 1 to 10 C atoms, in particular 2 to 4 C atoms, and / or optionally substituted perbenzoic acid. Suitable substances are those which carry O- and / or N-acyl groups of the stated C atom number and / or optionally substituted benzoyl groups. Preference is given to polyacylated alkylenediamines, in particular tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), acylated triazine derivatives, in particular 1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxo-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (DADHT), acylated glycolurils, in particular tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU), N-acylimides, in particular N-nonanoylsuccinimide (NOSI), acylated phenolsulfonates, in particular n-nonanoyl or isononanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (N- or iso-NOBS), carboxylic anhydrides, in particular phthalic anhydride, acylated polyhydric alcohols, in particular triacetin, ethylene glycol diacetate and 2, 5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran.

In addition to or in place of the conventional bleach activators, so-called bleach catalysts can also be incorporated into the detergents or cleaners. These substances are bleach-enhancing transition metal salts or transition metal complexes such as, for example, Mn, Fe, Co, Ru or Mo saline complexes or carbonyl complexes. Mn, Fe, Co, Ru, Mo, Ti, V and Cu complexes with nitrogen-containing tripod ligands and Co, Fe, Cu and Ru ammine complexes can also be used as bleach catalysts.

The washing or cleaning agent may contain enzymes in encapsulated form and / or directly in the washing or cleaning agent. Suitable enzymes include in particular those from the classes of hydrolases such as proteases, esterases, lipases or lipolytic enzymes, amylases, cellulases or other Glykosylhydrolasen, hemicellulase, cutinases, ß-glucanases, oxidases, peroxidases, perhydrolases and / or laccases and mixtures the enzymes mentioned in question. All of these hydrolases in the wash contribute to the removal of stains such as proteinaceous, greasy or starchy stains and graying. In addition, cellulases and other glycosyl hydrolases may contribute to color retention and to enhancing the softness of the fabric by removing pilling and microfibrils. Oxireductases can also be used for bleaching or inhibiting color transfer. Particularly suitable are bacterial strains or fungi such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Streptomyceus griseus and Humicola insolens derived enzymatic agents. Preferably, subtilisin-type proteases and in particular proteases derived from Bacillus lentus be used. In this case, enzyme mixtures, for example from protease and amylase or protease and lipase or lipolytic enzymes or protease and cellulase or from cellulase and lipase or lipolytic enzymes or from protease, amylase and lipase or lipolytic enzymes or protease, lipase or lipolytic enzymes and cellulase, but in particular protease and / or lipase-containing mixtures or mixtures with lipolytic enzymes of particular interest. Examples of such lipolytic enzymes are the known cutinases. Peroxidases or oxidases have also proved suitable in some cases. Suitable amylases include in particular α-amylases, iso-amylases, pullulanases and pectinases. As cellulases are preferably cellobiohydrolases, endoglucanases and ß-glucosidases, which are also called cellobiases, or mixtures thereof used. Since different cellulase types differ by their CMCase and avicelase activities, the desired activities can be set by targeted mixtures of the cellulases.

The enzymes may be adsorbed to carriers to protect against premature degradation. The proportion of enzymes or enzyme granules directly in the washing or cleaning agent may be, for example, about 0.01 to 5 wt .-%, preferably 0.12 to about 2.5 wt .-%.

However, it may also be preferred, for example in the case of special detergents or cleaners for consumers with allergies and / or sensitive skin, that the washing or cleaning agent contains no enzymes.

In one embodiment, the washing or cleaning agent optionally contains one or more perfumes in an amount of usually up to 10 wt .-%, preferably 0.5 to 7 wt .-%, in particular 1 to 3 wt .-%. The amount of perfume used is also dependent on the type of detergent or cleaning agent. However, it is particularly preferred that the perfume is introduced into the washing or cleaning agent via the textil softening composition. However, it is also possible for the washing or cleaning agent to contain perfume which is not introduced into the washing or cleaning agent via the textile softening composition.

In order to improve the aesthetic impression of the detergents or cleaners, they may (optionally only partially) be colored with suitable dyes. preferred Dyes, the selection of which presents no difficulty to the skilled person, have a high storage stability and insensitivity to the other ingredients of detergents or cleaning agents and to light and no pronounced substantivity to textile fibers so as not to stain them.

Suitable foam inhibitors which can be used in the detergents or cleaners are, for example, soaps, paraffins or silicone oils, which may optionally be applied to support materials.

Suitable soil release polymers, also referred to as "anti-redeposition agents", include, for example, nonionic cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose and methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose having a methoxy group content of 15 to 30 wt% and hydroxypropyl groups of 1 to 15 wt%, respectively based on the nonionic cellulose ether and the known from the prior art polymers of phthalic acid and / or terephthalic acid or derivatives thereof, in particular polymers of ethylene terephthalates and / or polyethylene and / or polypropylene glycol terephthalates or anionic and / or nonionic modified derivatives thereof. Suitable derivatives include the sulfonated derivatives of the phthalic acid and terephthalic acid polymers Another class of suitable soil release polymers, in particular for cotton-containing textiles, are modified, for example alkoxylated and / or quaternized and / or oxidized, polyamines The polyamines are be For example, polyalkyleneamines, such as polyethyleneamines, or polyalkylenimines, such as polyethylenimines. Preferred examples of this class of soil release polymers are ethoxylated polyethylenimines and ethoxylated polyethyleneamines.

Optical brighteners (so-called "whiteners") may be added to detergents to eliminate graying and yellowing of the treated fabrics which will attract the fiber and cause lightening and fake bleaching by turning invisible ultraviolet radiation into visible longer wavelength convert light, wherein the absorbed from sunlight ultraviolet light is radiated as a pale blue fluorescence and the yellow shade of the grayed or yellowed laundry to yield pure white Suitable compounds originate for example from the substance classes of 4.4. ^{'- diamino-2,2'} stilbenedisulfonic acids (flavonic), ^'-Distyryl 4,4-biphenylene, Methylumbelliferone, coumarins, dihydroquinolinones, 1, 3-diaryl pyrazolines, naphthalimides, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole and benzimidazole systems, and the heterocyclic substituted pyrene derivatives. The optical brighteners are usually used in amounts of from 0 to 0.3% by weight, based on the finished detergent or cleaning agent.

Grayness inhibitors have the task of keeping the dirt detached from the fiber suspended in the liquor and thus preventing the dirt from being rebuilt. Water-soluble colloids of mostly organic nature are suitable for this purpose, for example glue, gelatine, salts of ether sulfonic acids or cellulose or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose or starch. Also, water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are suitable for this purpose. Furthermore, soluble starch preparations and other than the above starch products can be used, for example, degraded starch, aldehyde starches, etc. Also, polyvinylpyrrolidone is useful. However, preference is given to cellulose ethers such as carboxymethylcellulose (Na salt), methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose and mixed ethers such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, methylcarboxymethylcellulose and mixtures thereof in amounts of from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the detergents or cleaners used.

In order to effectively suppress dye release and / or dye transfer to other fabrics during washing and / or cleaning of dyed fabrics, the laundry detergent or cleaning agent may contain a color transfer inhibitor. It is preferred that the color transfer inhibitor is a polymer or copolymer of cyclic amines such as vinylpyrrolidone and / or vinylimidazole. Suitable color transfer inhibiting polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide, poly-N-carboxymethyl-4-vinylpyridium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Particular preference is given to using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI) or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI) as color transfer inhibitor. The polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVP) used preferably have an average molecular weight of 2,500 to 400,000 and are commercially available from ISP Chemicals as PVP K 15, PVP K 30, PVP K 60 or PVP K 90 or from BASF as Sokalan® HP 50 or Sokalan® HP 53 available. The copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI) used preferably have a molecular weight in the range from 5,000 to 100,000. Commercially available is a PVP / PVI copolymer, for example from BASF under the name Sokalan® HP 56th The amount of dye transfer inhibitor based on the total amount of the detergent or cleaning agent is preferably from 0.01 to 2% by weight, preferably from 0.05 to 1% by weight, and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight. -%.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible to use enzymatic systems comprising a peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide or a substance which removes hydrogen peroxide in water as a color transfer inhibitor. The addition of a mediator compound for the peroxidase, for example an acetosyringone, a phenol derivative or a phenotiazine or phenoxazine, is preferred in this case, it also being possible to additionally use the abovementioned polymeric color transfer inhibitors.

Since textile fabrics, in particular of rayon, rayon, cotton and their mixtures, can tend to wrinkle, because the individual fibers are sensitive to bending, buckling, pressing and squeezing transverse to the fiber direction, the detergents or cleaning agents may contain synthetic crease inhibitors. These include, for example, synthetic products based on fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty acid amides, alkylol esters, -alkylolamides or fatty alcohols, which are usually reacted with ethylene oxide, or products based on lecithin or modified phosphoric acid ester.

To combat microorganisms washing or cleaning agents may contain antimicrobial agents. Depending on the antimicrobial spectrum and mechanism of action, a distinction is made between bacteriostatic agents and bactericides, fungistatics and fungicides, etc. Important substances from these groups are, for example, benzalkonium chlorides, alkylarylsulfonates, halophenols and phenolmercuric acetate, and the compounds according to the invention can be completely dispensed with in these detergents or cleaners ,

The detergents or cleaners may contain preservatives, it being preferred to use only those which have no or only a low skin-sensitizing potential. Examples are sorbic acid and its salts, benzoic acid and its salts, salicylic acid and its salts, phenoxyethanol, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate, sodium N- (hydroxymethyl) glycinate, biphenyl-2-ol and mixtures thereof. A suitable preservative is the solvent-free, aqueous combination of diazolidinyl urea, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (available as Euxyl® K 500 ex Schuelke & Mayr), which can be used in a pH range up to 7. In order to prevent undesirable changes to the detergents or cleaners and / or the treated fabrics caused by the action of oxygen and other oxidative processes, the detergents or cleaners may contain antioxidants. This class of compounds includes, for example, substituted phenols, hydroquinones, pyrocatechols and aromatic amines, as well as organic sulfides, polysulfides, dithiocarbamates, phosphites, phosphonates and vitamin E.

Increased comfort may result from the additional use of antistatic agents added to the detergents or cleaners. Antistatic agents increase the surface conductivity and thus allow an improved drainage of formed charges. External antistatic agents are generally substances with at least one hydrophilic molecule ligand and give a more or less hygroscopic film on the surfaces. These mostly surface-active antistatic agents can be subdivided into nitrogen-containing (amines, amides, quaternary ammonium compounds), phosphorus-containing (phosphoric acid esters) and sulfur-containing (alkyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates) antistatic agents. Lauryl (or stearyl) dimethylbenzylammonium chlorides are suitable as antistatic agents for textile fabrics or as an additive to detergents or cleaners, wherein additionally a softening effect is achieved.

To improve the rewettability of the treated fabrics and to facilitate the ironing of the treated fabrics, for example, silicone derivatives can be used in the detergents or cleaners. These additionally improve the rinsing behavior of the washing or cleaning agents by their foam-inhibiting properties. Preferred silicone derivatives are, for example, polydialkyl or alkylaryl siloxanes in which the alkyl groups have one to five carbon atoms and are completely or partially fluorinated. Preferred silicones are polydimethylsiloxanes, which may optionally be derivatized and are then amino-functional or quaternized or have Si-OH, Si-H and / or Si-Cl bonds. The viscosities of the preferred silicones are in the range between 100 and 100,000 mPas at 25 ° C., wherein the silicones can be used in amounts of between 0.2 and 5% by weight, based on the total detergent or cleaning agent.

Finally, the detergents or cleaners may also contain UV absorbers which are applied to the treated fabrics and improve the light fastness of the fibers. Compounds having these desired properties include, for example, the compounds and derivatives of benzophenone which function by non-radioactive deactivation Substituents in the 2- and / or 4-position. Also suitable are substituted benzotriazoles, phenyl-substituted acrylates (cinnamic acid derivatives) in the 3-position, optionally with cyano groups in the 2-position, salicylates, organic Ni complexes and natural substances such as umbelliferone and the body's own urocanic acid.

In order to avoid the catalyzed by heavy metals decomposition of certain detergent ingredients, substances that complex heavy metals can be used. Suitable heavy metal complexing agents are, for example, the alkali metal salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and alkali metal salts of anionic polyelectrolytes such as polymaleates and polysulfonates.

A preferred class of complexing agents are the phosphonates, which in preferred detergents or cleaners in amounts of 0.01 to 2.5 wt .-%, preferably 0.02 to 2 wt .-% and in particular from 0.03 to 1, 5 wt .-% are included. These preferred compounds include in particular organophosphonates such as 1-hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), aminotri (methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), diethylenetriamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP or DETPMP) and 2-phosphonobutane -1, 2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBS-AM), which are mostly used in the form of their ammonium or alkali metal salts.

In addition, neutral filler salts such as sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate may be included in the detergent or cleaning agent.

The washing or cleaning agents can be used in particular for cleaning and conditioning of textile fabrics.

For the preparation of the washing or cleaning agents, the washing or cleaning agent without the textile-softening composition is first of all prepared by known processes, which may comprise, for example, drying steps, mixing steps, densification steps, shaping steps and / or the subsequent addition of heat-sensitive ingredients ("post-addition"). The resulting product is then mixed with a solid, textile-softening composition prepared according to the invention. [. Zur] For the preparation of detergent tablets, further compaction and / or shaping steps may follow the mixing step. Table 1 shows the composition of four textile softening compositions E1 to E5 prepared according to the invention (in% by weight). Table 1 :

E1 E2 E3 E4 E5

Polyethylene glycol (M = 4000) 80-80 80

Sucrose - 80 76

Bentonite 15 13.5 18.5 14

Polydimethylsiloxane - - -

Polyquaternium-7 - - - 1

Silica - - - 6

Perfume 5 5 5 6,5 4,5

Pearlescent Pigment - 1 -

Dye 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

To prepare the compositions E1 to E5, the matrix material was first converted into a flowable or pourable state. For this purpose, in the case of compositions E2 and E3, the matrix material was heated to 80 ^° C. and in the case of compositions E1, E4 and E5 the matrix material was heated to 150 ^° C. During the slow cooling process, the solid and / or liquid further ingredients of the fabric softening composition, including the textile affinity compound and the perfume, were mixed under the matrix material. The obtained, still flowable or pourable mixture was immediately solid when pouring onto a cold steel sheet with an optically smooth surface. After solidification, the solid, fabric softening composition was broken into particles having a particle size between 1 and 3 mm.

The particulate solid compositions having a particle size in the range of 1 to 3 mm had a transparent, crystal-like form.

The particles of Composition E5 were additionally provided with a 4000 molecular weight polyethyleneglycol enclosure without affecting the transparent, crystalline appearance of the particles.

The textile softening compositions E1 to E5 produced according to the invention showed a softening effect in comparison with water. In addition, the textile soft making E1 to E3 and E5 able to reduce the hardness of the water.

To prepare a washing or cleaning agent, a solid, unperfumed detergent or detergent was mixed with 10 wt .-% (based on the total amount of finished detergent or cleaner) of the fabric softening composition E1 (particle size: 1 to 3 mm).

The washing or cleaning agent according to the invention showed good cleaning and conditioning (softening) properties. Furthermore, the washing or cleaning agent left a stronger perfume impression on the textile fabrics treated therewith.

Lime deposits on the laundry and / or deposits / residues in the dispensing compartment of the washing machines were not observed either with separate use of the textile-softening compound or incorporated in a washing or cleaning agent.

The fabric softening composition E5 with a polyethylene glycol enclosure left a particularly reinforced and long after incorporation with a solid, unperfumed detergent (10% by weight of coated E5 based on the total amount of finished detergent) on textiles treated with this detergent in a household washing process persistent perfume impression.

Claims

claims

1. A process for preparing a solid, textile softening composition, comprising a matrix of a compound having a melting or softening temperature in the range from 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C, and dispersed therein a textile affine compound and a perfume, in which the fabric softening composition is first produced in a flowable or pourable state and then allowed to set on a smooth surface.

2. A process for the preparation of a solid, textile-softening composition according to claim 1, characterized in that a smooth surface is used as an optically smooth surface.

A process for producing a solid, fabric softening composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the smooth surface is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, plastics and composites is selected from it.

4. A process for preparing a solid, fabric softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the textile-affine compound is selected from the group consisting of polysiloxanes, textile softening clays, cationic polymers and mixtures thereof.

5. A process for preparing a solid, fabric softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the compound having a melting or softening point in the range of 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols , Polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, carbohydrates, polyacrylates, polyesters and mixtures thereof.

A process for producing a solid textile-softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the matrix of the solid textile-softening composition comprises from 40 to 99.8% by weight, preferably 85 to 97% by weight. % is formed at the junction with a melting or softening point ranging from 45 ° C to 300 ⁰ C.

7. A process for producing a solid, textile-softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that 0.1 to 15 wt .-%, preferably 3 to 10 wt .-% and particularly preferably 5 to 8 wt. - Add% perfume.

8. A process for the preparation of a solid, textile-softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that additionally ingredients selected from the group consisting of dyes, perfume, fillers, pearlescing agents, Metallglanzmitteln, textile and / or skin care compounds and Mixtures thereof are added.

9. A process for the preparation of a solid, textile-softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the solidified, solid textile-softening composition in particles having a particle size in the range of 0.6 to 30 mm, in particular 0, 8 to 7 mm, and more preferably 1 to 3 mm, is transferred.

10. A process for preparing a solid, fabric softening composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the particles are at least partially coated with a polymer.

11. Use of a solid, textile-softening composition prepared according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for conditioning textile fabrics.

12. Use of a solid textile softening composition prepared according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in the manufacture of a washing or cleaning agent.